eaglemountainman
WKR
Were you on the factory website or the www.adventuregear.ca/grohmann-knives site that I posted a link to? I've only seen the factory site list seconds. The best prices will be at Adventuregear.
Knife recommendations
- Thread starter mod7rem
- Start date
Were you on the factory website or the www.adventuregear.ca/grohmann-knives site that I posted a link to? I've only seen the factory site list seconds. The best prices will be at Adventuregear.
- Thread Starter
- #22
spc7669
Lil-Rokslider
- Joined
- Aug 16, 2020
- Messages
- 121
I carry an Esee Izula and have been very happy with it.
I used the hidden canyon hunter on the last buck I shot last year there great little knives, very sharp from factory as I still haven’t touched it’s edge up.
Beendare
WKR
My Take; I've got a bunch of different hunting knives in the super steels...all good.
I would go super steel and my top 4 preference in order; S90v, Elmax, CPM 3v, S30v....all great to excellent steels.
I have a Bark River in Elmax that holds an amazing edge but its 4x the weight of my Benchmade Altitude in S90V. Those Heavy Bark River type knives are very good...but more of an all around camp knife for me and not a backcountry processor.
The Benchmade Altitude is a skeletonize knife, under 3 oz I think....which I like as it holds an edge crazy good, 2,3,4 animals no problem- its light and takes up no room in my pack and cleans up super easy.
Some guys like an actual handle and for those I like the silicone rubber handles best over wood or micarta, other.
That Benchmade Steep Country in S30V is a great knife that will do 2 elk without touchup. Its small and light but not too small...and S30v is great steel....though not the incredible edge holding of S90v or Elmax.
Lots of good choices.
I would go super steel and my top 4 preference in order; S90v, Elmax, CPM 3v, S30v....all great to excellent steels.
I have a Bark River in Elmax that holds an amazing edge but its 4x the weight of my Benchmade Altitude in S90V. Those Heavy Bark River type knives are very good...but more of an all around camp knife for me and not a backcountry processor.
The Benchmade Altitude is a skeletonize knife, under 3 oz I think....which I like as it holds an edge crazy good, 2,3,4 animals no problem- its light and takes up no room in my pack and cleans up super easy.
Some guys like an actual handle and for those I like the silicone rubber handles best over wood or micarta, other.
That Benchmade Steep Country in S30V is a great knife that will do 2 elk without touchup. Its small and light but not too small...and S30v is great steel....though not the incredible edge holding of S90v or Elmax.
Lots of good choices.
sndmn11
WKR
Since you like this style, I think the steel is fair. Black Ovis carries them and you can find a Rokslide discount.
www.knivesofalaska.com
This is as tech advanced as you will likely find in a compete package.
www.spyderco.com
I prefer non-stainless over the above S90v. Spyderco has a series they call the Mule with some interesting steels, I have some in PD1 that is identical to cru-ware and could make a custom handle to your liking. They have them in stock and you can do your own handle as well.
www.spyderco.com
If you wanted to stick to factory, Bark River makes some cru-ware blades that are probably a perfect balance for most people's wants and needs I'm cutting up game.
www.dlttrading.com
www.dlttrading.com
Here's the whole search results for cru-ware
www.dlttrading.com
Knives of Alaska: Xtreme Yukon #1 Suregrip
This is as tech advanced as you will likely find in a compete package.
Proficient™ - Spyderco, Inc.
The Spyderco Proficient takes the concept of the traditional “do-all” bushcraft knife and elevates it to new levels of performance with state-of-the-art materials and manufacturing methods. Designed by wilderness expert Chris Claycomb of Bushcr...
www.spyderco.com
I prefer non-stainless over the above S90v. Spyderco has a series they call the Mule with some interesting steels, I have some in PD1 that is identical to cru-ware and could make a custom handle to your liking. They have them in stock and you can do your own handle as well.
Mule Team™ 27 Micro-Melt PD#1 - Spyderco, Inc.
In the knife industry a “mule” is a sample knife used for performance testing. Spyderco’s Mule Team Series takes this concept a step further by offering the same fixed-blade knife pattern in many different steel variations. This ongoing p...
www.spyderco.com
If you wanted to stick to factory, Bark River makes some cru-ware blades that are probably a perfect balance for most people's wants and needs I'm cutting up game.
Little Creek Cru-Wear Black Canvas Micarta
DLT Trading offers popular brands along with hard-to-find knives, and personalized engraving options. Find the knife you've always wanted online today!
www.dlttrading.com
Woodland Special Cru-Wear Green Canvas Micarta
DLT Trading offers popular brands along with hard-to-find knives, and personalized engraving options. Find the knife you've always wanted online today!
www.dlttrading.com
Here's the whole search results for cru-ware
Search
www.dlttrading.com
Lawnboi
WKR
LT Wright small northern hunter, best bang for your buck on a knife with some good steel.
I choose the above over many other custom, semi custom and production knives. They are designed to slice well, not overly thick likemany other semi custom options out there. The steel is easy enough to get sharp, and stays that way a while unlike some of the newer stainless knives out there that can be a pain to get sharp again.
You don’t need a 1/4” 10” bushcraft knife for cutting up game. Look for something thin, with a nice sweep, in a steel that you can sharpen yourself when it gets dull.
Iv passed a lot of bark rivers through my hands and while some work well, and some Iv kept. Overall their knives are just too thick to be practical for what most guys are doing.
Custom route is going to cost some cash, and may not be the best place to start till you know what you want.
I’d also invest in learning how to keep a blade very sharp, not just kind of sharp. Even the super steels get dull. Steel like elmax or s90v are a pain in the ass to get back to shaving sharp where as steels like AEBL and 3V IME are much easier to get back to where I want them. The above steels are also stainless/damn near stainless, which I like in a hunting knife that might spend a day or 2 in a bloody sheath.
If you have any specific questions about bark river, LT or Esee don’t hesitate to ask, Iv had most of their knife styles in my hands at one point.
I choose the above over many other custom, semi custom and production knives. They are designed to slice well, not overly thick likemany other semi custom options out there. The steel is easy enough to get sharp, and stays that way a while unlike some of the newer stainless knives out there that can be a pain to get sharp again.
You don’t need a 1/4” 10” bushcraft knife for cutting up game. Look for something thin, with a nice sweep, in a steel that you can sharpen yourself when it gets dull.
Iv passed a lot of bark rivers through my hands and while some work well, and some Iv kept. Overall their knives are just too thick to be practical for what most guys are doing.
Custom route is going to cost some cash, and may not be the best place to start till you know what you want.
I’d also invest in learning how to keep a blade very sharp, not just kind of sharp. Even the super steels get dull. Steel like elmax or s90v are a pain in the ass to get back to shaving sharp where as steels like AEBL and 3V IME are much easier to get back to where I want them. The above steels are also stainless/damn near stainless, which I like in a hunting knife that might spend a day or 2 in a bloody sheath.
If you have any specific questions about bark river, LT or Esee don’t hesitate to ask, Iv had most of their knife styles in my hands at one point.
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Tbone58
Lil-Rokslider
I use a havalon knife for most of the work I do on animals. I bring a benchmark fixed blade for a hard blade as back up. I’ve been making the switch to an outdoors edge replaceable blade knife also. I like it because the blade stays sharper longer and easier to replace. I like the havalon for the size and light weight but the blades are hard to replace. They do make a tool to help remove them. But those are the three I’ve used and like.
Dawson or Dozier for holding an edge while in the field.
www.dawsonknives.com
Dawson Knives and Swords | Quality Fixed Blades, 100% Made In America
Premium American fixed blade knives, made in the USA by our three generation family of knife makers. Find the perfect hardworking knife for all your hunting, camping and backpacking adventures, plus swords and bowies designed for modern users. Located in Prescott, Arizona.
www.dawsonknives.com
Home - Dozier Knives
Offering custom built designs. Includes product information and a photo gallery.
www.dozierknives.com
- Thread Starter
- #31
Thanks again everyone. The choices are endless. I’ve never been a knife enthusiast, which explains why I’ve been deboning animals for the last 20 years with the same knife, but I may have to become one and start accumulating some knives.
For now I’ve decided to order the LT Wright Small Northern Hunter and start with that.
I could also see a Benchmade Altitude in my collection before long.
I have a Havalon I got as a gift and haven’t used yet. But I have to admit I have a mental block with these just from things I’ve seen in the field. I live in B.C. but have been to Wyoming many times to hunt antelope. I’ve come across enough gut piles in Wyoming with Havalon blades laying all over that it just turned me off the whole idea. I like my scalpel for caping and taxidermy work but for everything else I want a knife.
It’s just my own head trip, not a reflection on the Havalon knife capabilities.
For now I’ve decided to order the LT Wright Small Northern Hunter and start with that.
I could also see a Benchmade Altitude in my collection before long.
I have a Havalon I got as a gift and haven’t used yet. But I have to admit I have a mental block with these just from things I’ve seen in the field. I live in B.C. but have been to Wyoming many times to hunt antelope. I’ve come across enough gut piles in Wyoming with Havalon blades laying all over that it just turned me off the whole idea. I like my scalpel for caping and taxidermy work but for everything else I want a knife.
It’s just my own head trip, not a reflection on the Havalon knife capabilities.
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eaglemountainman
WKR
Good choice on the LT Wright Small Northern Hunter. I have one also, and like it quite a bit.
6mm Remington
WKR
Oh so many knives. Here's a couple more to consider. I have both and really like both of these knives. They are made in Bonner Montana which is near to where I live. Great folks making them by hand one at at time!
Ruana Steelhead 3.5" blade.
Ruana 5AD 4" blade
www.ruanaknives.com
I used my Benchmade mini-barrage on my grizzly bear hunt last fall. I knew the guide would have several knives. I bought him a Ruana 5AD and brought it up as a gift. He sure liked it a lot! I took the mini-barrage as it's a folding knife and small that I could carry clipped in my pocket everywhere. It has a 2.9" blade and really like that knife also.
Ruana Steelhead 3.5" blade.
Ruana 5AD 4" blade
Catalog Knives — Ruana Knives
www.ruanaknives.com
I used my Benchmade mini-barrage on my grizzly bear hunt last fall. I knew the guide would have several knives. I bought him a Ruana 5AD and brought it up as a gift. He sure liked it a lot! I took the mini-barrage as it's a folding knife and small that I could carry clipped in my pocket everywhere. It has a 2.9" blade and really like that knife also.
- Thread Starter
- #34
For what you were willing to spend there are quite a few custom makers that would build you a knife With a blade shape and handle profile that fits your needs and tastes. Dozier’s Yukon Pro Skinner is a great choice in D2. Gene Ingram and Charles May make some beautiful choices. Wait times can be fairly long depending on maker. It’s a slippery slope though.
Pabst
Lil-Rokslider
- Joined
- Jul 27, 2020
- Messages
- 199
Just seeing this thread now - sorry if I'm too late, just wanted to chime about Grohmann knives.
I placed an order for a few knives maybe a year ago and can attest to the quality of factory seconds. At least in my case, I could tell little difference between the firsts and the seconds. On the topic of factory seconds, they also have factory second sheaths, which I found to be completely indistinguishable from firsts, except for he small "S" stamped into the belt loop (#3 sheath). Also, you'll see on their website that you can order some, but not all, knives in factory second condition but I found out during a call with them that you can pretty much order any knife and/or sheath in factory second condition.
I haven't used their knives much but can comment on fit and finish, etc. I found fit and finish to be pretty good but not quite at the level you'll find from e.g. LT Wright. Even on the flat grind #1 in carbon steel, I found the interface between scales and tang to be sharp - you can kind of feel the sharp edge of the tang. Also, the tang doesn't seem to be polished or sanded smooth, it's just a touch rough.
This probably won't affect the usability of the knife. Ergonomics are exactly as everyone says - fantastic.
One last comment about ordering from Grohmann - prices on their website were charged in USD, not CAD, just keep that in mind when you order.
I placed an order for a few knives maybe a year ago and can attest to the quality of factory seconds. At least in my case, I could tell little difference between the firsts and the seconds. On the topic of factory seconds, they also have factory second sheaths, which I found to be completely indistinguishable from firsts, except for he small "S" stamped into the belt loop (#3 sheath). Also, you'll see on their website that you can order some, but not all, knives in factory second condition but I found out during a call with them that you can pretty much order any knife and/or sheath in factory second condition.
I haven't used their knives much but can comment on fit and finish, etc. I found fit and finish to be pretty good but not quite at the level you'll find from e.g. LT Wright. Even on the flat grind #1 in carbon steel, I found the interface between scales and tang to be sharp - you can kind of feel the sharp edge of the tang. Also, the tang doesn't seem to be polished or sanded smooth, it's just a touch rough.
This probably won't affect the usability of the knife. Ergonomics are exactly as everyone says - fantastic.
One last comment about ordering from Grohmann - prices on their website were charged in USD, not CAD, just keep that in mind when you order.
nagibson1
FNG
thanks for mentioning they have seconds. what a great deal for guys that don't care about minor imperfections to get a great quality knife. Appreciate it!
6mm Remington
WKR
Ruana knives located in Bonner Montana sure makes some quality knives. I personally own two and each of my two son's have Ruana knives. Below are my two favorites.
5AD
Steelhead
5AD
Steelhead
Shraggs
WKR
Very nice ruana’s!!!
found a pre 1960’s semi skinneraverage shape for $1000, had to pass for now.
just a comment on bark rivers. I do own every hunting knife they’ve ever made, and used them all cutting up game. Fair comments above but there are all not heavy. Dozens of my hunting models ranging from 2.5 to 4.5” that are less 4 oz...
Many have struggled sharpening convex and sour on it, I’m a huge fan of falkniven too which is the only other production knife maker committed to convex — they are thicker especially near the edge and more challenging to sharpen. They are universally heavier too.
my personal preference is convex before all else, and therefore accept thicker stock.
found a pre 1960’s semi skinneraverage shape for $1000, had to pass for now.
just a comment on bark rivers. I do own every hunting knife they’ve ever made, and used them all cutting up game. Fair comments above but there are all not heavy. Dozens of my hunting models ranging from 2.5 to 4.5” that are less 4 oz...
Many have struggled sharpening convex and sour on it, I’m a huge fan of falkniven too which is the only other production knife maker committed to convex — they are thicker especially near the edge and more challenging to sharpen. They are universally heavier too.
my personal preference is convex before all else, and therefore accept thicker stock.
Shraggs
WKR
We need pics...
most carried combo backpack hunting 6 oz combined. Big skinner is 4.25”
Persian style skinner 3.25” 3 oz
Another combo I use 5.5 oz combined
these knives are well known on rokslide, spyderco bill moran 3 oz each and that’s with a 1” hidden tang...
more a whitetail combo for me 6.5 oz combined.
one of most treasured sets, cape, gut, quarter, gutless, camp use, fish cleaning. Total weight 13 oz.
some if the popular bark rivers are heavy, they aren’t what I use fwiw
Last couple of falknivens. Very little blood on the drop point, the other is new an unlikely candidate for a skinner as they market this as a neck utility knife. 4 and 3 oz respectively.
most carried combo backpack hunting 6 oz combined. Big skinner is 4.25”
Persian style skinner 3.25” 3 oz
Another combo I use 5.5 oz combined
these knives are well known on rokslide, spyderco bill moran 3 oz each and that’s with a 1” hidden tang...
more a whitetail combo for me 6.5 oz combined.
one of most treasured sets, cape, gut, quarter, gutless, camp use, fish cleaning. Total weight 13 oz.
some if the popular bark rivers are heavy, they aren’t what I use fwiw
Last couple of falknivens. Very little blood on the drop point, the other is new an unlikely candidate for a skinner as they market this as a neck utility knife. 4 and 3 oz respectively.
Last edited:
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